Hydrogen offers opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions and make agricultural businesses more sustainable. For example, by running tractors on hydrogen. But what about the availability of hydrogen technology for agricultural machines and vehicles?
To find an answer to this question, Jeroen Noot (Greenport NHN) and Pim Sturm (Sturm-Jacobs Contracting Company) started Fieldlab Hydrogen in Agri visited manufacturers JCB (England) and Fendt (Germany). In addition, program manager Wouter Veefkind visited the Agritechnica trade fair in Hannover, where he oriented himself on the application of hydrogen technology in agricultural vehicles and machines. Below is a summary of their market research.
Sustainable innovation was one of the main themes at Agritechnica. Partly, this involves the development of battery-electric vehicles and machines. But manufacturers are also innovating with hydrogen, Veefkind saw in Hannover. Partly, this involves tractors that are equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell. In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen and this creates electricity that, via the battery, ensures that you can drive.
It is a completely emission-free solution, but the disadvantage is that a fuel cell is a complex and relatively expensive technology. Manufacturers are therefore increasingly focusing on hydrogen combustion. Instead of hydrogen and oxygen reacting with each other, hydrogen gas is burned in the cylinder of an engine. "Then you still have some CO2 emissions," says Veefkind: "But you can reduce this very much. Up to 85% emission reduction is possible."
Each manufacturer works on sustainable solutions in its own way. For example, New Holland is mainly looking at energy sources that are usually available on the farm, such as natural gas and wind and solar energy. Fendt, Steyr and Deutz are investing heavily in the development of hydrogen tractors and all kinds of hybrid variants, while John Deere focuses on methanol and ethanol (which is produced a lot in the US).
There are quite a few differences between manufacturers, depending on their location. However, according to Veefkind, there is a clear trend. Namely that manufacturers are increasingly shifting their focus from hydrogen-electric to hydrogen combustion. “In that sense, it is a shame that governments are still strongly focusing on completely 'emission-free'. In this way, they make it very difficult for the market. When emission reduction is given more space, you get many more possibilities.”
Last autumn, Jeroen Noot and Pim Sturm got a look behind the scenes at JCB and Fendt. JCB has gained the necessary experience with battery-electric drive. Noot: “That works fine for light tractors, but this technology is not suitable for heavy equipment. You then need batteries that are much too big. While you also run into problems with charging the battery, especially in remote locations. The deployment is limited to light work around the yard and in urban areas. Hydrogen comes into the picture for heavy work.”
Based on what they heard, Noot and Sturm conclude that the fuel cell is not a practical solution for agriculture for the time being. Apart from the vulnerability, the price is also an issue. Sturm: “The fuel cell alone costs almost two hundred thousand euros. Then there are five hydrogen tanks of around 10,000 euros each, and all kinds of electronic components. Of course, you can leave out the diesel engine, which saves around 40,000 euros. But that does not compensate for the additional price.”
Hydrogen combustion still makes a tractor a bit more expensive, but it comes close to diesel. In addition, maintenance is a lot easier, “comparable to that of a diesel tractor”. At JCB they saw prototypes that were tested under various conditions. Note: “JCB's starting point is that a hydrogen-powered vehicle or machine must be able to do the same as the diesel variant. It turns out that this is possible with hydrogen combustion.”
Battery-electric drive is definitely not going to happen for the heavy machines of Sturm-Jacobs. Other forms of sustainable energy could be possible, but personally Pim Sturm strongly believes in the combustion engine with hydrogen. As soon as the first machines become available, he will be at the front of the line. “Clients in construction are already asking for CO2 neutral. That is why we started exploring the possibilities of hydrogen two years ago. Although we thought then that this path would be easier to take than it now appears.”
Note: “We all feel that the emissions from diesel engines are increasingly coming under fire. Hydrogen seems to have the most potential for heavy equipment. But it will still take some time before the first hydrogen tractors come onto the market.”
